Iowa's top public safety official says she's informed Gov. Kim Reynolds that she will be leaving her job next month. And the Iowa State Patrol Chief is retiring as well.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Roxann Ryan told employees in an email Friday that she'll step down Jan. 2 after leading the department for four years. She has been with the department for 12 years and served in state government for 36 years, according to a news release from the DPS.

Col. Jeff Ritzman, the chief of the Iowa State Patrol, announced that he will be leaving Jan. 2 after 36 years as well.

“I am thankful to have had the opportunity to serve with the fine people in the Department of Public Safety,” Ryan said. “I have long had tremendous respect for the work that they accomplish and for their dedication to public safety in countless ways."

She says she's proud of the progress that's been made in the department, which includes the Iowa State Patrol, the Division of Criminal Investigation and other public safety units.

The move comes as Reynolds is making some personnel changes after winning a full four-year term in office in last month's election.

Before then-Gov. Terry Branstad promoted her to commissioner, Ryan worked as an attorney and an intelligence analyst for the department.

Ritzman served as the 16th colonel of the patrol, the DPS release states. He began his career with the Iowa State Patrol in 1982 and served as a trooper in District 12 (Stockton), a sergeant in District 13 (Mount Pleasant) and a district commander in District 1 (Des Moines).

“It has been the honor and privilege of my life to serve the men and women of the Iowa State Patrol as their colonel. In my eyes, there is no finer group of Troopers or people," he said in the statement